Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan: Chachoengsao's Most Revered Temple
Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan is Chachoengsao's historic temple and home of the revered Luang Pho Sothon Buddha image, an easy trip from Bangkok.
Meeting Point Management Team
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Quick answer
Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan is at 134 Thep Khunakorn Road, Na Mueang, Mueang Chachoengsao, about 2 km from the town market. It houses Luang Pho Sothon, a meditation-posture Buddha revered across Thailand, and became a third-class royal temple on 8 August 1958. Open daily 07:00–17:00.
Key takeaways
- Founded in the late Ayutthaya period; once called Wat Hong, Wat Sao Thong and Wat Sao Thong Thon
- Houses Luang Pho Sothon, a meditation Buddha 165 cm wide at the lap and 198 cm tall
- Raised to a third-class royal temple (Worawihan) on 8 August 1958
- Without a car, take the yellow songthaew or air-conditioned bus no. 5
- Open daily 07:00–17:00; phone 038 511 048
Contents
Let's take a trip not far from Bangkok. Today we are visiting Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, the beautiful, historic temple of Chachoengsao. If you get the chance, we recommend stopping by to pay respect to Luang Pho Sothon at least once.
People come here from all over the country. Before anything else, let's look at the history of this place.
History of Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan
Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan is an old temple that has long been bound up with Chachoengsao. It houses Luang Pho Sothon, a Buddha image revered by the people of Paet Riu (the local name for Chachoengsao) and by people from every corner of Thailand since long ago. The temple is about 2 km from the central market. It was originally a community temple built in the late Ayutthaya period. Its first name was Wat Hong, because it had a tall pole topped with a swan (hong). Later the swan broke and fell, leaving just the pole, and someone hung a flag on it instead, so it became Wat Sao Thong (flag-pole temple). When the pole later broke in two, the name became Wat Sao Thong Thon.
The name Wat Sothon, meaning pure and sacred, comes from Phra Phuttha Sothon, or Luang Pho Sothon, which was later enshrined here. King Bhumibol Adulyadej later raised the temple to a third-class royal temple of the Worawihan type, named Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, on 8 August 1958.
Luang Pho Sothon
Phra Phuttha Sothon is a Buddha image in the meditation posture, 165 cm wide at the lap and 198 cm tall. It sits on a four-tiered throne draped with a decorative cloth, symbolising the highest state, above the four noble ones: the stream-enterer, the once-returner, the non-returner and the arahant.
According to tradition, it was originally a bronze meditation Buddha, a little over a cubit wide at the lap and very beautiful. The monks feared its beauty would put it in danger, so they covered the original image with plaster. The Luang Pho Sothon you see today is therefore a stucco image, lacquered and gilded, with a Lanna-style face and a bud-shaped ushnisha. Its lap is 3 sok 5 inches, or 1.65 metres wide, and it is 1.98 metres tall.
So, what do you think of Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan? If you have the chance, it is well worth a visit.
Visitor information
Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan
Address: 134 Thep Khunakorn Road, Na Mueang, Mueang Chachoengsao, Chachoengsao 24000
Phone: 038 511 048
Opening hours: daily 07:00–17:00
Map: Google Maps
Getting there without a car
- Option 1: Yellow songthaew from the new bus terminal, via the railway station and the new Si Sothon Road, past Pu Ka-Ae restaurant and Big C 2, on to the Rajabhat university and Wat Luang Pho Sothon.
- Option 2: Light-blue air-conditioned bus no. 5 from the new bus terminal, via Big C, Wat Luang Pho Sothon, the Rajabhat university and the hospital to Sap Sin market.
FAQ
What are Wat Sothon's opening hours?
Open every day from 07:00 to 17:00.
Where is Wat Sothon?
At 134 Thep Khunakorn Road, Na Mueang, Mueang Chachoengsao, Chachoengsao 24000, about 2 km from the town market. Phone 038 511 048.
How do I get to Wat Sothon without a car?
Take the yellow songthaew from the new bus terminal via the railway station and Si Sothon Road, or the light-blue air-conditioned bus no. 5 from the new bus terminal via Big C to the temple.
Why was the temple once called Wat Hong?
It had a tall pole topped with a swan (hong). When the swan fell, a flag was hung instead (Wat Sao Thong), and when the pole broke in two it became Wat Sao Thong Thon.
The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.
